If I Only Could Blot Out The Past - song lyrics 
American Old-time song lyrics from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
If I Only Could Blot Out the Past. Copyright, 1896. by Hamilton S. Gordon. Words and Music by Gussie L. Davis. 
In a city far away came a messenger one day With a letter for a girl, and thus it said: "Your old mother died today, and before she passed away Often asked for you when all stood by her bed. Now, Nell, please write and say that you'll start for home to-day. For poor rather has forgiven you at last. And he longs to see you, too. for he always speaks of you," But poor Nell wrote, while the tears were railing fast: 
Chorus. If I only could blot out the past. If I only could all forget. And the sweetheart of old had his love never told, If he and I never had met I'd be home with the old folks to-day. But for me now the die is cast: My heart oft doth yearn, and I'd like to return. If I only could blot out the past. 
in her home one year ago not a sorrow did she know. in the quiet little town she was the belle; But a lad there won her heart, now they've drifted far apart. For poor Nell loved him not wisely but too well; But pride keeps her away from that dear old home to day. For her name the village folks linked with disgrace. And they tried to wreck her life, for poor Nell was not his wife. And she thought of all, while tears rolled down her face - Cho.